deeta's Profile
A little disappointed in Coquette's service
Thanks for following this and taking the time to respond.
As I said, we like Coquette and we've always enjoyed the food and found the service to be great. This was a unique experience, so it was noteworthy. I do want to say that one of our most memorable meals was at Coquette this spring; it was very personal, as my husband is in the military and was selected for promotion. We walked over and had an impromptu celebratory dinner there; it was a perfect evening outside, the food was good, the wine was good and the service was good - it's an experience we'll remember for many years.
Otherwise, I think that nomadchowwoman below summed up the situation in my perspective pretty well.
Thanks again for the interest.
A little disappointed in Coquette's service
I figured the tasting menu had something to do with timing and we weren't really bothered by that. I do think any menu should specify the requirement however (most I've seen do, and since it wasn't stated, we felt it was worth asking).
It is a good tip to request downstairs - never had a problem downstairs - and when the weather is nice, we really enjoy sitting outside. Unfortunately that's kind of a small window of opportunity. I've eaten at the 2 tops in the front and it sure is crowded. It's great for cocktails, but start putting food on those tables and you're arranging for space on the tables. I can see why they go with the smaller tables, however, because it probably gives them one extra table, which they need. It's much harder to walk in to Coquette than it used to be.
A little disappointed in Coquette's service
My husband and I live very close to Coquette and sometimes we'll walk over for a nice dinner - although it's hard to get in sometimes. We made a reservation for 8:30 on Friday evening and were seated upstairs (hadn't been upstairs since it was Table One). The restaurant was pretty much full when we went in - maybe two empty tables - which I think is pretty standard for Friday evening.
Anyway, the first thing I noticed when we were seated is that one of the local food critics was dining next to us. He and his companion evidently hadn't been there long - they were drinking some wine. My husband wanted the tasting menu and I didn't, and since the menu didn't specifically say that it was intended only for the entire table, we asked our waiter about the possibility of only one of us having the tasting menu. The server checked and informed us that "Chef said no." We were disappointed, but oh well. We each had a cocktail and ordered.
In the meantime, the critic's first course comes out, and they are each getting the first course of the tasting menu. We waited for bread. They finished and our starters came out. Husband had a root vegetable salad and I had the oysters - both very good. The critic's food continues to come out and surprise! Vastly different dishes coming out - someone isn't getting the tasting menu. This was not surprising, because, well, he's a recognized food reviewer. I can't deny that it was a little irritating, but I did understand. I also understood all the waitstaff checking in on them throughout the meal.
So we waited for our entrees and I waited for iced tea, which did eventually make it, although the sugar never did. In the meantime, the critic got even more stuff brought out, including the french fries spilling onto the table because they knew how much he loved their fries.
We finally got our entrees and they were excellent. I had the chicken, which was as good as the waiter described. Normally I don't order chicken out, but this was dark meat wrapped in white meat and steamed and then flashed fried. It sounds awful, but it was remarkable. My husband had the beef, which was perfect.
And then we waited and waited and waited. By the time they brought a desert menu, we figured we wouldn't want desert, and then we had to wait and wait and wait to tell them that. Then we had to finally ask for the check. All the while, the critic had pretty much the entire waitstaff of the second floor, as well as the manager, stop by his table and make sure everything was good.
Our two course dinner took two hours, which is crazy. We left about 5-10 minutes after the reviewer.
I've been to Coquette numerous times and the food has always been very good. I've never had a complaint about the service, but Friday night it was apparent that if anyone important is around, forget about it.
And truly, I don't mind if the restaurant reviewer gets all the extras and great attention. It's a two-way relationship between the restaurant and the reviewer. It's in Coquette's best interest to take care of him. However, I do very much mind that we were ignored or forgotten about because someone of greater value was in the house.
Of course I'll go back, and I won't stop recommending Coquette. But there will always be a bit of a caveat and now there are places I'll recommend over Coquette. It's really kind of a shame. If they had basically just given us the service they've done historically - bread, beverages, etc. in a timely manner - it would have been another night out for us. But this was just sloppy and I expected better from the restaurant and its staff.
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Coquette
2800 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70115
Cafe Rani on the skids?
My friend went in early August and said it was horrible. As stated above, the service was just awful and she said the food was bad. As well, the bathrooms were broken. Insult to injury she had to work to get the check - so uninterested she probably could have done a dine and dash and they wouldn't have noticed or cared, I guess. She wrote them a letter, but there was no follow up.
To make it even worse, she turned down a lunch at Galatoires to take her friend and her friend's mother to lunch at Rani! We have a couple of the restaurants.com coupons to use there, but I've been reluctant to use them because the reports have been pretty poor lately.
New Orleans report pt. 2: Luke, Commander's Palace
This was only my second lunch at Commanders - the first was a spur of the moment thing with the husband one summer afternoon. It was great. I've done dinner as well as brunch there, and all were great, so lunch was a disappointment. Since it was my friend's birthday and she was visiting, I took her wherever she felt like trying and Commanders was the winner. I just wish the service had been what I'd experienced in the past.
Interestingly enough, we went to Luke for lunch the day before and it was really good. I had the burger, simply because I'd heard so much about it, and it was excellent. My friend had shrimp and grits and said they were divine. My husband had the ham and cheese with the egg and although he was surprised at the presentation (the fried egg was laid on top of the sandwich), he was very happy with it. It may be because it was final Sunday of Jazz Fest and there weren't many people in the restaurant, but the service was the best I've experienced at Luke. When I go to Luke, I kind of expect that the service may be spotty, but that the food will win out. I know that's really not right, particularly when a restaurant is being backed by someone like Besh, but it's an attitude that has minimized any disappointment . . .
I know service can be such a touch and go thing - one glitch anywhere can throw everything off, and I find that at different restaurants I have different expectations, much as I do at Luke vs. Commanders. Overall, I'm a pretty patient diner, but I try to be especially patient during heavy times such as Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras - I know that the staffs are maxed out, etc.
Commanders isn't off my list by any means, but there are so many wonderful options that it will probably take a back seat for a while. Whenever we have guests, we encourage them to pick places they want to try; now if someone asks about Commanders, we'll recommend it, but it will have a small caveat, like Luke has.
New Orleans report pt. 2: Luke, Commander's Palace
My friend and I had lunch at Commander's Palace the Monday after Jazz Fest. The food was good but the service was very disappointing. Drinks came late, we had to ask for bread because the apps were slow coming. The bread finally came after the appetizers were cleared away. We waited and waited and finally the waiter told us our meals were sent to the wrong dining room and instead of reheating them, he asked the chef to make fresh dishes for us. That pleased us, but when we finally got our meals, they were warm at best, so we were both left with the impression that they were, in fact, re-heated.
In all honesty, I remember the food tasting good, but I couldn't tell you exactly what we had off the top of my head because the service was so lacking. Lunch was over two hours (we had a 1:30 reservation), which seemed excessive to both of us. They were busy when we came in and we were the second to last table to leave for the afternoon. I expected better out of them, particularly for a $100 lunch. I didn't complain - it was a birthday lunch for my guest and I didn't want to potentially make it messier than it was.
1 night in Seattle
My husband and I are spending a night in Seattle, after a five year absence there. In the past we've enjoyed Assagio's, Dahlia Lounge, Place Pigalle, Campagne, Maxwell's in the Market, among other places. We'll be in town on a stop-over from nola, and we'll be staying in the market area, although we'll have a car - we'll be happy to drive for something special/good, but would prefer to keep it walkable/short drive. We looked into the Herbfarm (enjoyed it for a couple anniversary dinners) but they're closed on Mondays. We're open as to atmosphere/price/cuisine. Any recs for a Monday night? Obviously, things have changed in the five years we've been away and we need some guidance!
Thanks!
Boiled crawfish and raw oysters?
We're getting some company for Mardis Gras and we've planned out our dining (based on company requests), alhtough I am having a difficult time with one request: a place that will do good raw oysters AND boiled crawfish. I'm not sure if crawfish will even be in season yet (isn't it a bit dicey at this time of year?), so it may end up being a non-issue. I'd do Casamento's for the oysters, but the crawfish need will go unmet. Any suggestions?
Good but Reasonable?
Good and reasonable also includes Cafe Reconcile, on Oretha Castle Haley. It's only open for lunch, Monday through Friday, so that may be an obstacle for you. I always liked the white beans and shrimp (available Thursday only!) and my husband loved the fried catfish. I don't know if they are offering "table service" yet; it was cafeteria style the last few times I was there. $8 for your entree, sides, desert and drink isn't bad, and it's a good cause. The webiste is http://www.cafereconcile.com/index.asp - click on Cafe Reconcile on the right and you can view the menu from the drop-down. Take a cab if you go - it's in a strange place (I guess the Warehouse District????)
I second Parasols - mmmmmmmmmmm - and I really like Adolfos, too.
Perhaps a less expensive way to eat in a nice place - IF it's being offered right now - are the 3 appetizers/glass of wine for $25 at Bacco (in the Quarter) or Ralphs (by City Park). I don't know if it's a summer only thing, but I do know that the wine choices were pretty good and the three appetizers did just fine for filling me up. I went to their websites, but neither mentioned the special, so it may be a summer only thing; it might be worth a phone call to find out. I second Jacques Imos and Casamentos as reasonable and tasty!
Windsor Court Tea
My husband and I went with our neighbor in June for Saturday afternoon tea, and Envie's post pretty much sums up our experience. I can't remember the music - there was a wedding party in the hotel and we were busy watching the beautiful bridal party. It was a lovely experience and I hope to do it again.
weekday late evening dining
We liked Delachaise on St. Charles Avenue. It's a wine bar, but we've always found the food to be delish - really, you can't go wrong with fries fried in duck fat, can you? The menu is on the home page: http://www.thedelachaise.com/
